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International chic was the theme of the evening at "C'est Dommage" (translation: "It's a pity"), an annual anti-Valentine's Day masquerade party at Sushi Samba incorporating art, music and fashion. The event was hosted and curated by White Label DJs Madrid Perry and Sadie Woods, Carlos Torres of URWE Productions and Eric Hulbert of Funky Couture Entertainment. Says guest Carrie Baizer: "It's a multinational crowd. It's very rare to find in this city." Throughout the night, a roster of DJs such as the darkroom's Mwelwa and musician Frank Schaldenbrand of the Alliance Francaise de Chicago set the tone by mixing genres such as lounge and world beat with disco and French pop. ----------- Quote of the night: "I want to showcase my work, and ["C'est Dommage"]

By M. Cecilia Wong and M. Cecilia Wong is a Metromix special contributor | March 26, 2009

Want to bust a move, not your wallet? Lucky for you, bars, clubs and promoters are scaling back on cover charges and drink prices, while keeping the music quality high and the dance floors packed. Here are seven bashes to get the most bang for your buck. XOXO Where: Crocodile, 1540 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-252-0880 When: Fridays, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. The scene: Despite its name, this basement bash is not a "Gossip Girl" tribute. But like in the hit show, expect to see tipsy pretty young things getting down as DJs play infectious sets of indie electro and '80s new wave spiked with hip-hop and fidget house.

PICK OF THE WEEK What's new Toast your stunning physique -- or gear up for another shot at your New Year's diet resolution -- at New Year, New You, a health-themed party at Le Passage. Don't miss a hosted bar featuring acai-derived spirit Veev (10-11 p.m.), and healthy appetizers such as sweet potato crostini. Want to make your future gym pals jealous? Cross your fingers for the party's raffle prize: a gym-and-spa package worth upwards of $2,000. DJ Lee Michaels helps you with your cardio on the dance floor.

The weather outside might be frightful, but tinsel and twinkling lights warm things up inside the Loop studios of WLIT-FM 93.9. The hallways are decorated with glowing Santa and snowman yard ornaments. The Lite employees smile like small-town carolers. And, oh yeah, Christmas music plays 24 hours a day, every day. Cheer they got. Robin Rock, the midday DJ, says she loves playing those yuletide tunes, which The Lite has done around the holidays for the last seven years. "I like the old Christmas stuff, the stuff from church," says Rock, who speaks on and off the air with the soothing voice of a comforting friend.

People eagerly awaiting the release of Kanye West's newest album, "808s & Heartbreak," due out in two weeks, are being treated to an appetizer before the big meal. "Sky High" is a new mix tape that features remixes of various West-produced tracks by hipster hip-hop DJs and producers, compiled by DJ Benzi and Kanye cohort Plain Pat. "Sky High" started streaming on imeem Monday and was to be distributed by hip-hop blogs beginning Tuesday night, MTV reports. ... Seth Rogen is sticking with porn.

The 900 Shops' 20th Anniversary Magnificent Mile Stop by for in-store promotions, DJs and giveaways. The first 500 customers receive a $20 gift card with any purchase of $100 or more at participating stores in the complex. 900 North Michigan Shops, 900 N. Michigan Ave. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday. 312-915-3916.

Building on several trends that have recently impacted the music industry, social site MySpace is relaunching its music service, allowing users to stream music from all the major record labels or buy songs in partnership with Amazon.com. "Each user is his own DJ," said Steve Pearman, MySpace senior vice president of product strategy. Here's how the streaming aspect works: Users go to MySpace's music page to create playlists. You can browse artist profile pages, friends' pages or featured playlists to create your own. Celebrities and musicians will create playlists, as well, something that Apple has done on iTunes for a long time.

Record shops give you something that even the most interactive music Web site can't -- someone who knows what you like and gives you a pile of great dusty grooves to sort through. Shops have taste or a certain style, and that's why you're there. Reckless, Jazz Record Mart, the Apple Store all have a feel. You can think of an in-store performance as a shopping soundtrack or an event. Either way, it's like closing the link between past and future. You're at Reckless, hearing some little post-punk band on your music player, and there the band members are in the flesh.

Music shop performances aren't just for record promotions any longer. Now they're but one sign that a local shop is truly committed to its neighborhood. The store gets buzz, and you get to see a cool band for free. This is true even as leaner stores find themselves with less space and fewer acts willing to play for free. "In-store events are not a guaranteed turnout," says David Hofer, a Chicago-area native and buyer at Reckless Records. And yet "that's what you do when you like bands -- you champion them."

Chicago hosts heaps of GLBT-focused festivities during Pride Weekend, but none can hold a rainbow-colored candle to Sunday's Pride Parade. The jam-packed procession kicking off from Belmont Avenue and Halsted Street is practically the Super Bowl of gay Chicago. And after all the feather-festooned drag queens, motorcycle mamas and other prideful persons have passed by, the party keeps going. At the end of the procession, paradegoers typically feel one of two urges: the need to hop into one of the many crowded establishments along the parade route for dancing, drink specials and plenty more shenanigans, or the need to get the heck out of Dodge.